July 21, 2009
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Genetic screening may lead to discrimination
Genetic screening allows doctors and researchers to examine a sample of tissue, blood, or other specimen from a living thing and determine its genetic makeup. Genetic screening can be used to test prospective parents to see if they carry debilitating genetic disorders and to determine if a suspect was (or not) at the scene of a crime (Crime Scene Investigation; CSI). However, this genetic screening may also lead to abortion of disabled children and eugenics. Eugenics is the idea that a society might be abnle to improve its gene pool by exerting control over the breeding practices of its citizens. (Star Trek, Enterprise, Season 4). In one episode of Star Trek, an individual with inferior genes is being discriminated in various ways. This raises the issue of discrimination and privacy issues.
